From lasers to life sciences, Europe’s new plan for analysis and know-how infrastructures goals to flip world-class science into on a regular basis affect.
By Catherine Howie
The European Commission has launched a brand new technique for analysis and know-how infrastructures to give innovation and competitiveness a long-term increase.
Unveiled at this yr’s Research and Innovation Days in Brussels on 16-17 September, the brand new technique comes at a time when world competitors for expertise, know-how and assets has by no means been fiercer.
As Europe boasts a number of the world’s most superior scientific facilities, analysis and know-how infrastructures function the spine of European scientific excellence and industrial energy.
The new technique has been welcomed by many within the scientific group.
“Strengthening these infrastructures now is essential because the world is changing fast,” stated Antje Keppler, co-chair of the ERIC Forum, the coordination platform for European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs).
“By giving scientists sustainable access to the best shared tools, essential data and knowledge, we can respond more quickly to crises, develop green solutions and drive medical breakthroughs.”
For Keppler, stronger infrastructures imply a extra resilient and aggressive Europe, delivering actual advantages for residents’ well-being, safety and prosperity.
The message of the brand new technique is obvious: Europe intends to keep forward by investing extra, opening entry and boosting analysis affect for scientists, innovators and society as a complete.
The new technique reminds us that behind each medical breakthrough, local weather mannequin, or discovery concerning the universe, there’s a analysis infrastructure powering the work. These aren’t simply buildings or machines – they’re hubs of data and collaboration the place scientists sort out a number of the largest challenges of our time.
Take the Extreme Light Infrastructure based mostly in Czechia, Hungary and Romania. Its world-leading laser facilities enable researchers to discover what matter is fabricated from, develop superior medical therapies, and pioneer new supplies – work that will be inconceivable with out such exact instruments.
Allen Weeks, director-general of the ELI ERIC infrastructure community and co-chair of the ERIC Forum alongside Keppler, defined that these infrastructures, of which there are over 100 in Europe, carry individuals collectively.
“They’re not just physical spaces, they are networks that enable collaboration across different fields, institutions and borders,” he stated.
Another prime instance is the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, which supplies cutting-edge facilities for finding out genes, cells and the way life works on the molecular stage. Its analysis drives innovation in well being, agriculture and biotechnology.
In Grenoble, France, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility produces extraordinarily vibrant X-ray beams that enable researchers to see matter on the atomic stage. From understanding new supplies to monitoring how ailments progress, the power’s insights underpin discoveries throughout physics, chemistry and the life sciences.
These infrastructures matter as a result of no single nation or college might construct and function them alone. By pooling experience and assets, Europe is creating world-class facilities that preserve it aggressive, entice world expertise and ship improvements that enhance lives.
“We’re in a very competitive world these days. To compete in sports, industry or science, you need the right tools. European research infrastructures are key strategic assets,” stated Weeks.
Europe faces a triple problem – sturdy world competitors, speedy technological shifts, and the necessity for resilience in important areas like vitality, well being and digital applied sciences.
Recent high-level studies commissioned by the EU all underline the identical level: Europe should shut its innovation hole, construct an built-in analysis ecosystem, and strengthen management over key applied sciences and analysis knowledge.
That means taking a complete strategy from primary analysis to know-how growth in order that concepts transfer quicker from the lab to the market. Technology infrastructures speed up this market uptake of analysis outcomes. And it additionally means making certain Europe stays a magnet for expertise and partnerships worldwide.
The new technique focuses on a number of priorities designed to make Europe’s analysis panorama stronger, extra linked and extra impactful.
First, it considerably will increase funding in new world-class facilities, one thing welcomed by Weeks.
“Having a more coordinated funding approach will enable better planning and provide access to a broader range of users. The more people that can use these assets, the more competitive Europe will be,” he stated.
The technique additionally introduces joint growth roadmaps to preserve facilities aligned with rising scientific wants and industrial developments.
Jesús Valero, president of the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO), highlighted how essential know-how infrastructures are.
“Technology infrastructures are where innovation becomes reality. They provide the essential facilities and expertise that help companies, especially small ones, develop, test and scale up new technologies,” he stated.
He welcomed the brand new technique for offering readability and ambition in how such infrastructures are supported throughout Europe. “This is how we bridge the gap,” he stated. “Through hands-on collaboration, shared facilities and targeted support.”
Access and visibility are one other key focus. Researchers, startups and firms throughout Europe and past will discover it simpler to use these infrastructures and profit from what they provide.
As effectively as securing long-term steady entry alternatives for high scientists and pioneering builders of latest providers and merchandise, that is about boosting innovation and creating alternatives for companies and entrepreneurs.
Europe already presents one thing distinctive in its interconnected community of analysis infrastructures that spans borders and totally different scientific fields. The new technique builds on that energy and ties in with the “Choose Europe” initiative launched in May 2025.
A key ambition is to make Europe a world hub for science and innovation. By selling interconnected facilities, the EU goals to entice high expertise worldwide.
“Anyone knows you can increase the odds of discovery if you have access to the very best tools, information and people,” stated Weeks. “That’s what European infrastructures do – they attract top talent and create a positive cycle of innovation.”
Building expertise is central to the technique. The EU goals to prepare the subsequent technology of specialists and guarantee infrastructures have the fitting abilities to serve a rising and numerous person base. At the identical time, managing these facilities shall be simplified via higher EU-level coordination, making it extra environment friendly and user-friendly.
Going digital is one other precedence. Research infrastructures will combine superior digital instruments and AI, linking to initiatives such because the European Strategy for AI in Science, which launches later in 2025.
Finally, the technique reinforces Europe’s management over important analysis knowledge and strengthens the position of world-class infrastructures in science diplomacy, constructing bridges internationally whereas supporting European pursuits.
The new technique is already shaping actions underneath Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship analysis programme that runs till 2027, and it’ll function the blueprint for a brand-new pillar devoted to analysis and know-how infrastructures within the subsequent programme (2028–2034).
The objective is obvious: to preserve Europe on the forefront of science, know-how and innovation – for everybody’s profit.
This article was initially revealed in Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation Magazine.